Dr. Cicek is currently serving as Associate Dean (Research), a position he has held since 2021. A Professional Engineer and Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering, he joined UM in 2001 after receiving his M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (1995) and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (1999) from the University of Cincinnati and gaining several years of experience working in industry. During his tenure at UM, Dr. Cicek has demonstrated excellent leadership through two five-year terms as Associate Department Head and multiple appointments as Acting Department Head.

“Dr. Cicek brings a strong commitment to collaborative and collegial leadership, student experience, Indigenous achievement, EDIA, and research excellence,” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “I am confident that he will well serve the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and the University of Manitoba. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Cicek on his appointment.”

Dr. Cicek’s research and teaching interests span agricultural and industrial waste management, bioenergy and biopolymer production, and bioprocess engineering. He has authored or co-authored more than 140 peer-reviewed journal articles, presented at international conferences, and supervised over 70 graduate and undergraduate students. His research has secured nearly $14.5 million in external research funding as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator.

In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Cicek received the 2018 Jim Beamish Award from the Canadian Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CSABE) and became a Fellow of CSABE in 2021. He also shared his vision for the future of food and sustainability as a guest on President Michael Benarroch’s “What’s the Big Idea” podcast. Listen to the Season 2 episode entitled Feeding the world without costing the Earth.

“I feel incredibly humbled and honored to serve as the next Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, a storied Faculty with a strong national and international profile and proud history of training the next generation of agri-food leaders,” says Dr. Cicek. “As Dean, I will be building on the Faculty’s globally recognized research programs, outstanding educational programming and instruction, high-quality faculty renewal, excellent support staff, and strong partnerships and stakeholder engagement. I will focus on creating an inspiring and dynamic work and learning environment that fosters belonging, positivity, and commitment.”

UM welcomes Dr. Cicek to his new appointment.

Born in Kansas, Thiessen earned bachelor’s degrees in nursing and liberal arts with emphasis on Spanish from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia before completing a master’s in nursing with an emphasis in midwifery at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. In 2014, she completed a PhD in applied health sciences at the University of Manitoba.  

We recently spoke to Thiessen about her career and vision for the college. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing and health education? 

I had an aunt and uncle who were very involved in social justice work internationally. My aunt was the CEO of Save the Children Canada for many years, and they were involved with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). I was very close to them and they were highly influential throughout my childhood. I lost my uncle when I was 16, and he was planning to move from agriculture and development to nursing. That really inspired me to consider health care, just because I looked up to them most of my life. 

What are some of your proudest accomplishments in your career? 

A couple of things come to mind. I’ve mostly worked in rural and remote health as a nurse and a midwife, and I spent a fair bit of time in remote parts of Alaska where I developed a child wellness program that involved immunizations, developmental checks, dental care and other health service care for kids. When I went into the program, it was struggling and only reached five small communities. But by the time I left, years later, we were reaching 48 villages in the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta and providing comprehensive care for kids. 

The other was being part of the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program, now known as Enhancing Research Impact in Child Health (EnRICH), out of the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), which I was part of from April 2017 to March 2021.   

Who are your mentors? Is there anyone that you would say has helped shape your career? 

Some of my most significant mentors came out of the CHRIM and their mentorship program. To this day, I’m involved with them in a leadership capacity, but I started out as a mentee. It led to some lifelong friendships, but also outstanding career and research mentorship. Dr. Richard Keijzer, who’s a pediatric surgeon and now associate dean of research at the Max Rady College of Medicine, was specifically instrumental in supporting me.  

What’s your vision for the College of Nursing? 

Over the last 10 years in this college, I’ve worked alongside leadership through the pandemic, some of the expansion and the development of the midwifery program. I think we’ve grown a lot and don’t necessarily need to get bigger or better. My hope is to bring us together with common goals for the programming that we have, and that we can reflect on our individual responsibility to be excited about leading education and research in health care. 

I hope to offer a different style of leadership, one that takes a restorative lens and is really looking at the health of our teams. I like to use a sports analogy because I played sports in college and all through high school. We’re a team and teams win when they put aside their differences, get in sync and rally around the collective good. My goal is to do that despite whatever challenge is put on our plate. 

What are some of your interests outside of work? 

I spend a lot of time with friends and my immediate family. I have two teenage daughters and my husband, Mike. They are my priority and there are lots of things that we do together – snowshoeing, cross country skiing, camping and small trips to fun local places.  

What advice do you have for your students? 

Our students bring this incredible talent and diversity, so we have a lot to learn from them and we value this. I would advise students to come with humility and a curiosity to learn about the health-care system they will be working in, and also to pause and sit with tension that comes with learning about different ways of thinking and doing. We’re all human beings at the end of the day, let’s start with that. 

Dr. Stephen Runge is a celebrated pianist, professor and administrator. He joins UM after serving 11 years as Head of the Department of Music at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick where he is also a Professor of Piano and the Director of Mount Allison Local Centre Examinations in Music. In recognition of his outstanding teaching, research, creative activities, and service, Mount Allison awarded him a Paul Paré Excellence Award in 2010, the J.E.A. Crake Award for excellence in teaching in the Faculty of Arts in 2014, and the Paul Paré Medal in 2020. Before joining the faculty at Mount Allison, Dr. Runge taught at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

“Please join me in extending congratulations to Dr. Runge on his appointment,” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “Dr. Runge’s commitment to collaborative and collegial leadership, student experience, Indigenous achievement, EDIA, and research and creative works excellence will well serve the Desautels Faculty of Music, the School of Art, and the University of Manitoba.”

Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Dr. Runge began playing piano at the age of six. He completed a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Victoria, where he was a student of the late Dr. Robin Wood. Under the direction of Marc Durand, he completed a Master of Music degree at l’Université de Montréal and an Artist Diploma at The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He then completed a Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance from l’Université de Montréal. He also studied at the Banff Centre for the Arts with Julian Martin of the Juilliard School and was a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Dr. Runge is lauded as a sensitive and versatile pianist who has been broadcast nationally on CBC Radio Two and La Chaîne Culturelle de Radio-Canada, receiving special recognition for his frequent performances of chamber music and art song. He has recorded all the major works for solo piano by Robert Schumann, an album of solo piano works from 1917, and a recital of English art song with countertenor Daniel Cabena.

Dr. Runge has served as teacher, adjudicator and clinician across Canada. He has presented at conferences and given workshops on topics such as effective practice methods, performance practices for Baroque and Classical music, and the challenges of teaching popular music. He is currently Vice-President of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association. While serving in his new leadership role, Dr. Runge will also hold a position as tenured Professor in the Desautels Faculty of Music.

“I am truly honoured to join the University of Manitoba as Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Music and Director of the School of Art, and look forward to collaborating with such a vibrant community of faculty, students and staff,” says Dr. Runge. “I am excited to join this dynamic and committed group of artists and musicians as we work together to build on our strengths and continue to offer transformative creative experiences to our Music and Art students.”

Dr. Greg Smith, Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) will serve as Acting Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Music and Director of the School of Art until April 30, 2025.

UM extends a warm welcome to Dr. Runge and looks forward to his leadership.  

Dr. Donahue is currently the Director and Graduate Program Chair of the School of Social Work at King’s University College at Western University. He started his academic career at the University of Calgary in 2000, and later moved to Renison University College at the University of Waterloo in 2008, serving as Chair of the Department of Social Development Studies from 2013 to 2015. He holds a PhD and Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto, and a BA (Gerontology) and BSc (Biology) from McMaster University.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Peter Donahue to the University of Manitoba in the role of Dean of the Faculty of Social Work”, says Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “Dr. Donahue’s commitment to collaborative and collegial leadership, student experience, Indigenous achievement, EDI, and research excellence will well serve the Faculty of Social Work and the University of Manitoba.”

Dr. Donahue has made many contributions to leadership in social work education and to strengthening the social work profession. His research focuses on the health and well-being of older adults, including work and retirement, caregiving, 2SLGBTQIA+ aging, knowledge transfer, and issues relating to homelessness and those at risk. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses throughout his career, bringing an innovative approach to teaching and learning that generates excitement and curiosity from his students.

Before moving to academia, Dr. Donahue worked with numerous community organizations serving the older adult population. He worked as a Program Coordinator for the Toronto Association of Neighborhood Services – Seniors Program, a Program Coordinator for the Ontario Coalition of Senior Citizens’ Organizations, and a Research Fellow at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care. He is a founding member of the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE), its first Network Manager and a long-time board member.

Throughout his career, Dr. Donahue has served on many professional organizations, such as the Alberta and Ontario Associations on Gerontology, as well as the Canadian Association on Gerontology where he was Chair of the Education Division and on the board executive. He was a member of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education’s (CASWE) Commission on Accreditation from 2010 to 2016 and co-chaired the Commission from 2014 to 2016. He recently completed his final term as the President of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, and currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Canadian Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work.

“The Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba has long been known as a leader and innovator in our field. Therefore, I am both excited and honoured to have the opportunity to offer my skills and leadership to this next chapter in its history,” says Dr. Donahue. “I was born and raised in Manitoba, so I am also looking forward to coming home after many years and giving back to the province and the people that were instrumental in shaping who I am today.”

The University of Manitoba looks forward to Dr. Donahue’s leadership in the Faculty of Social Work.

Dr. Marx has held various Associate Dean positions in the Faculty of Arts since 2016, most recently serving as Associate Dean (Graduate Studies, Curriculum, and Internationalization.) In each of these senior leadership roles, she led the coordination and implementation of a variety of initiatives supporting research, encouraging innovative teaching practices, and promoting more equitable and inclusive cultures across campus.

“I am confident that Dr. Marx’s collaborative and collegial leadership style together with her commitment to advancing EDI, research, and Indigenous engagement and achievement will serve the Faculty of Arts and the University of Manitoba well into the future,” says Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

Dr. Marx holds doctoral degrees in philosophy from Pennsylvania State University (1999) and in history from the University of California at Santa Barbara (2009). She received her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Calgary (1993). Marx has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised graduate students, and served on graduate student committees. While serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Marx will retain her position as tenured professor in the department of Religion.

A renowned researcher in the philosophy and medicine of Late Antiquity, Marx is the author of three books and multiple articles. Her most recent co-authored volume is a sourcebook on medicine of the ancient mediterranean world (500 BCE – 600 CE). She is also the co-founder and co-director of ReMeDHe, a working group with over 300 members worldwide, which explores the intersections between religion, medicine, disability, health and healing in late antiquity.

Throughout her career, Marx has demonstrated a deep commitment to increasing equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and social justice. She has served on various EDI committees at UM and was the dean’s office lead for the introduction of the Indigenous content requirement in the Faculty of Arts. Through the ReMeDHe group, she has worked on initiatives that expand access for Black, Indigenous and other People of Colour (BIPOC) scholars and scholars with disabilities.

“The Faculty of Arts has been my academic home for 15 years now, and I have so many cherished connections with colleagues, staff, and students (present and former),” says Dr. Heidi Marx. “It is an honor to be able to continue to serve these people in my new role, and I look forward to working with them to ensure that Arts is a place where people and ideas can flourish.”

UM congratulates Dr. Heidi Marx on her appointment.

Laurie M. Schnarr, Vice-Provost (Students)

Laurie Schnarr will continue to advance the University of Manitoba’s commitment to delivering an outstanding experience for our students. She has been reappointed to a second term as Vice-Provost (Students), from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2029.

Since joining the UM in 2019, Schnarr has provided passionate and skilled leadership to Student Affairs, a team of approximately 350 staff in three departments: Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services, Student Engagement and Success, and Student Support. Her dedication to creating an environment where students can achieve their highest potential has informed her involvement in many institution-wide priorities, such as advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDIA), UM’s ongoing commitment to Reconciliation, increasing Sexual Violence education and resources, and building comprehensive and holistic mental health and well-being supports.

Her responsive, student-centered approach has resulted in increased regular and efficient communication with the student body to ensure information and supports are known. This was particularly important during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning, when Schnarr mobilized the Student Affairs team to find innovative ways to reach students in a challenging and isolating time. This included the launch of UM Commons, an information hub for first-year students and supporting student online needs through the UM Technology Support Program.

Other significant developments within Student Affairs during Schnarr’s tenure include opening the Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre, which recently expanded to introduce a prayer space on the Bannatyne campus, introducing the Grow Your Community Fund to support student-led community building for marginalized groups on campus, working with the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning to expand experiential learning opportunities, and launching the New Aurora.

“I would like to congratulate Ms. Schnarr on her re-appointment. Our students are well served under Laurie’s leadership and I look forward to continuing to work with her in the promotion of student retention, engagement and academic success.” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

The University of Manitoba congratulates Laurie Schnarr on her re-appointment as Vice-Provost (Students).

Lisa O’Hara, Vice-Provost (Libraries) and University Librarian

UM has approved the extension of Lisa O’Hara as Vice-Provost (Libraries) and University Librarian from June 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.

As Vice-Provost (Libraries), O’Hara has helped transform how information is discovered and accessed at UM. Her leadership in several large-scale technology projects, such as a cloud-based library system, mobile self-checkout and reserve kiosks, has improved services for faculty and students. She co-led the development of UM’s Research Data Management Strategy and has promoted and expanded open access and scholarship at the UM, including launching the Advance Open Ed project that funds the creation of OER (open education resources).

Throughout her tenure, O’Hara has helped advance Reconciliation through working with Indigenous librarians and staff in the implementation of an Indigenous Cultural Competency Training program for all library staff, as well as creating an Indigenous Librarian Internship program to support Indigenous librarianship in Manitoba. 

O’Hara’s dedication to innovation in rapidly changing information environment has been a great benefit to the University. UM thanks Lisa O’Hara for her continued service and leadership.

Douglas Brown, Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

UM has approved the extension of Douglas Brown as Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management (FKRM) to June 30, 2026.

Brown is highly regarded as a visionary leader and meaningful collaborator. In 2015, Brown oversaw the opening of UM’s state-of-the-art athletic facility, the Active Living Centre, and has continued to guide the faculty to new growth and development. His steady leadership was critical to the development of reopening strategies for Bison Sports, Recreation Service, and Mini U Programs during the pandemic. Throughout his tenure Brown has served on many campus-wide collegial governance committees, most recently a member of the Board of Governors.

Brown is an accomplished cultural historian known for his work on the origins of the modern Olympic Games and Canada’s winter sporting heritage. As dean, he has championed Indigenous initiatives such as the SPARC Certificate Program and the installation of an Indigenous mural at the Active Living Centre.

The University of Manitoba is honoured to have Douglas Brown continue his leadership as dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Angie Bruce [MBA/09] as the new Vice-President (Indigenous) of the University of Manitoba.

Ms. Bruce assumes her position on February 1, 2024. We welcome her to the UM community and look forward to supporting her as she continues to advance the priorities of the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous).

An impactful and collaborative leader, Ms. Bruce brings experience and success working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and Nations, communities, local, regional and federal governments and organizations, and across the non-Indigenous public, private and non-profit sectors. Ms. Bruce joins UM after serving as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada’s Nòkwewashk – the first Government of Canada departmental team to be gifted its name by Indigenous Elders. In her capacity, Ms. Bruce grew the Indigenous Natural Resource Program to $100 million and supported the first natural resources international missions that highlighted Indigenous-led partnerships and business around the world. Ms. Bruce also led the development of an Indigenous Research Ethics policy for the department, changing the way scientists engage and partner with Indigenous Nations across Canada.

Prior to her role at Natural Resources Canada, Ms. Bruce was Deputy Minister in Manitoba’s Indigenous and Northern Relations and Municipal Relations departments. During that time, she led the highest number of Treaty Land Entitlement land transfers in Manitoba’s history. She has also held senior positions with the Legacy of Hope Foundation and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, organizations that worked to support the funding of healing programs in communities for Residential School Survivors and intergenerational Survivors.

Ms. Bruce brings significant experience in Indigenous research as a leader on projects for the Government of Canada, Government of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Manitoba Métis Federation, with a focus on Indigenous-led processes and program delivery.

Ms. Bruce is a proud Red River Métis woman tied to her home community of St. Laurent, Manitoba. Ms. Bruce grew up in the Métis culture and credits the strong maternal figures in her family for instilling a connection to the land, community, culture and spirit.

Ms. Bruce is a UM alum and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Asper School of Business. She is currently a PhD Candidate at Nipissing University.

I would also like to recognize Dr. Catherine Cook for her visionary leadership. As the first-ever Vice-President (Indigenous), Dr. Cook was a collaborative, patient, yet assertive, leader and a strong mentor for Indigenous women working to change colonial structures. During her term, she oversaw the Indigenous Senior Leadership projects, six initiatives created to advance Indigenous engagement, success and governance at UM and to build a culturally safe environment for Indigenous students, staff, faculty and guests. Her work to address post-secondary organizational and structural gaps and barriers to First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, will impact both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people for generations.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Cook and in congratulating Ms. Bruce on this new role where she will continue the legacy of exemplary leadership for the Vice-President (Indigenous) portfolio.

Michael Benarroch, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

Dr. Kothe is currently serving as the Department Head of the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, since 2021. She completed a diploma and Ph.D. in biochemistry in Germany before becoming a faculty member at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta in 2006.

“I look forward to working with the Division of Extended Education in promoting life-long learning across multiple dimensions,” says Kothe. “This exciting opportunity aligns closely with my passion for teamwork, innovative teaching and community engagement.”

An accomplished researcher, Ute Kothe has secured over $10M in research funding and has published more than 30 articles and book chapters. Her research regarding the role of RNAs and proteins in gene expression have earned her many awards, including election to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada. Additionally, Kothe held the Alberta Innovates Research Chair in Transcriptomics of RNA Modification (from 2015-2020) and co-founded the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI).

Throughout her career, Ute Kothe has demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching, learning and professional development. At the University of Lethbridge, she became a trained facilitator for the Instructional Skills Workshop (an intensive 4-day professional development program for faculty), received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2014, and was named Teaching Chair in 2020. A firm believer in the importance of community engagement, she has led many science outreach activities, in particular founding the local chapter of Let’s Talk Science in 2010 and leading its supervision for 10 years.

A strong proponent for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion efforts in science, Kothe served on the diversity, equity and inclusion committee of the international RNA Society and RNA Canada ARN, and in 2023 the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences awarded her the Jeanne Manery Fisher Memorial Lecture for promoting inclusion in science.

“I am confident that Dr. Kothe’s demonstrated effective leadership skills, collaborative approach and commitment to continuing education will serve the Division of Extended Education well into the future,” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

Dr. Mark Torchia, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) will serve as Acting Dean of the Division of Extended Education from January 1, 2024 to February 28, 2024.

UM welcomes Dr. Kothe to this new leadership role.

Dr. Martin Scanlon

Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences – extension of appointment

Dr. Martin Scanlon will continue to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. His current term has been extended from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.

“Thank you, to Dr. Scanlon, for agreeing to extend his appointment. I know that the Faculty will be well served by his continued leadership,” says Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy.

Under Dr. Scanlon’s leadership, the Faculty has undergone a major renewal of its academic staff in support of learning and research activities, with 30 faculty members recruited across multiple disciplines. The Faculty also secured two new Canada Research Chairs and four new research chairs supported by either government, charitable foundation or industry partners. Dr. Scanlon has played a key role in securing industry and government support for two critical infrastructure projects – a recently opened egg layer facility and a proposed agronomic research facility.  Given the Faculty’s special relationship to the land, Dr Scanlon has encouraged reconciliation activities, including the Faculty’s Reconciliation Action Plan which is expected to be ratified in the fall. 

Dr. Scanlon’s research examines changes in the physical and chemical properties of food materials during processing and culinary operations. He has published extensively, with almost 300 articles and academic papers, and has advised or co-advised 89 postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduate student researchers.

The University of Manitoba congratulates Dr. Scanlon on the extension of his role.

Dr. Robert Hoppa

Acting Dean, Faculty of Arts

An accomplished administrator, professor and researcher, Dr. Robert Hoppa has been appointed Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. 

Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) says, “I would like to thank Dr. Hoppa for his willingness to serve as Acting Dean. Given his strong academic record, exceptional leadership skills, collaborative approach, and prior experience serving as Acting Dean in the Faculty, I believe that the Faculty will continue to excel under his leadership.”

Dr. Hoppa joined the University of Manitoba in 1999, after completing his PhD at McMaster University.  He serves as the Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Arts, a position he has held since 2009. A highly regarded faculty member and administrator, he also provided leadership as Acting Dean in the Faculty from July 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011 and from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017.

Dr. Hoppa is a graduate advisor in the field of biological anthropology and an active researcher with funding support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. His research focuses on issues of health and well-being of past populations.

The University welcomes Dr. Hoppa to this leadership position.

Dr. Stewart most recently served as Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Winnipeg. She has previously held numerous senior administrative roles at the University of Winnipeg, including Deputy Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic), Acting Dean of Education, Acting Dean of Kinesiology and Applied Health, Acting Executive Director of the Global College, and Coordinator of Advanced Studies in Education.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Jan Stewart to the University of Manitoba in the role of Dean of the Faculty of Education”, says Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “Dr. Stewart’s thoughtful and exceptional leadership skills, her collaborative approach, and her deep commitment to Indigenous initiatives and to mental health and wellness will serve the Faculty of Education well into the future.”

Dr. Stewart is an alum of the University of Manitoba, receiving her Bachelor of Education, Master of Education, and PhD in Educational Administration here. She brings a wealth of knowledge from over 30 years of experience working in the Manitoba education system; she has worked as a teacher and counsellor in the K-12 public school system, a contract curriculum writer and consultant for the Province of Manitoba, and an educator for pre-service teachers and school counsellors.   

Dr. Stewart is also a renowned researcher in the areas of children and youth affected by conflict, trauma, violence, abuse, mental health issues, and human rights violations. Funded by SSHRC, CERIC, and Mitacs, she led a three-year national research program examining best practices for supporting refugee and newcomer youth in addition to a Manitoba focused SSHRC funded study on the mental health needs of Syrian refugees. She regularly delivers invited lectures across the country and abroad and has published 5 books and numerous book chapters and articles related to education and trauma-informed practice. As a community-engaged scholar, Dr. Stewart partners with educators, settlement services, and government and non-government organizations to develop innovative programs and support services to meet the mental health and settlement needs of children, youth, and postsecondary students. 

“I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to the University of Manitoba to work with faculty, staff, students, and the entire education community in Manitoba,” says Dr. Stewart.

Dr. Stewart has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised graduate students, and served on graduate student committees, both at the University of Winnipeg and at other post-secondary institutions. While serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Dr. Stewart will also hold a position as tenured Professor in the Department of Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology.

The University of Manitoba looks forward to Dr. Stewart’s leadership in the Faculty of Education.

Additionally, UM is pleased to announce the following extension and re-appointment:

Dr. Charlotte Enns’ term as Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education has been extended from July 1, 2023 to July 31, 2023. 

“I would like to thank Dr. Enns for agreeing to extend her appointment as Acting Dean in order to align with the start of Dr. Stewart’s term.  Her ability and willingness to lead the Faculty during this transition has been commendable and we truly appreciate her contributions,” adds Dr. Hiebert-Murphy.

Dr. Mark Torchia has been re-appointed as Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) for a second term, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028. 

“I want to thank Dr. Torchia for accepting another term as Vice-Provost,” Dr. Hiebert-Murphy says, “He has shown a strong commitment to advancing UM’s Strategic Plan by leading various projects and initiatives. His expertise and leadership on the COVID Recovery Steering Committee, in particular, has been instrumental in navigating the challenges of the pandemic.”